Title:	Purged
	Author:	M.E. May
	Published:	November, 2014
	No. of Pages:	247
	Cover Price:	$14.95 US

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In the fourth novel of the Circle City Mysteries, Purged, M.E. May writes a fascinating story wherein someone is murdering the members of a group of Wiccans. At the same time, there is a new church that is trying to get rid of the Wiccan coven in the community, and the board members, as well as some parishioners, are quite verbal about it. The Preacher considers the women to be Devil worshipers, but as is so often the case with religious zealots, he hasn't done his homework and knows nothing about their religion. Detectives Chennelle Kendell, Anne Samuels, and Erica Barnes are investigating the murders as they happen, but are having problems gathering any clues.

The murderer is also a religious zealot, who is trying to please his cruel, abusive grandmother by purging all the sinners in the community, starting with the members of the Wiccan coven. Grandmother spends her time sitting in front of the television watching the "fire and brimstone" evangelists and expects her grandson to agree with her beliefs and be a religious zealot himself.

One of the things that's nice about May's stories is that she humanizes the heroes; they have personal problems, family deaths, and relationship woes. In this book, the main characters who are trying to solve the murders also have a life outside of the police department, and readers will be able to relate. In addition, the detectives are not super-heroes, in that they must work through the clues to find the murderer rather than have instant genius thoughts like so many fictional characters. They are, however, competent in their jobs, and give the murders highest priority to prevent subsequent murders.

Purged is another example of a fictional novel that has plenty of interesting facts. May has done her homework, and there is information on Wiccans, an ancient pagan religion that does sometimes include witchcraft, but not evil witchcraft. The author's depiction of the religious zealots in the book also rings true. May has crafted a story where there is suspense throughout, and readers can be assured they will be on edge as they are led through the murderers mind and his reasoning for murder. M.E. May's Circle City Mysteries contain no graphic sex or violence, and they are fast reads. Purged is the best one yet, and well worth reading.

Special thanks to P.J. Nunn of Breakthrough Promotions for supplying a review copy of this book.

This book may be purchased at the author's website: M.E. May Mysteries